As fashion fans, you know there is plenty of controversy in the fashion world. Here at Mama’s A Rolling Stone, we rarely take sides, but we are interested in hearing your thoughts on the major topics. Hence, Your Thoughts: our aptly-titled series on the most controversial, most contentious, most divisive issues within the industry. Up first: a Marie Claire blogger’s weight debate.

The Matter At HandMarie Claire sex and relationship blogger Maura Kelly recently wrote a post titled “Should Fatties’ Get A Room? (Even on TV?).” In it, she debated whether or not overweight people (specifically, on television) should “get a room” because they tend to “gross” her out. An excerpt:

“I think I’d be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other … because I’d be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I’d find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair.”

The IssuesFor the most part, people are angry for two reasons: (a) Some think that Maura Kelly comes off as insensitive and tactless. (b) Some think that this anti-overweight stance is out-of-place in an industry that has been working on reforming the weight standards.

Since ThenSeveral commenters have called for a boyfcott of Marie Claire, while others have claimed they are cancelling their subscriptions. Maura Kelly has followed up her post, apologizing for her insensitivity. In addition, Marie Claire editor-in-chief Joanna Coles has weighed in, talking exclusively to Fashionista.com: “Maura Kelly is a very provocative blogger. She was an anorexic herself and this is a subject she feels very strongly about.”

So, what are your thoughts? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!

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4 Comments

Steveh6873

October 28, 2010 at 9:43 PM

Shes write it is pathetic to let or accepting being overweight as an ok thing to be..that’s why ppl are fat..because they let you..let them think it’s Normale

Her piece is a total joke. Through her insensitivity and lack of PC terminology (though most of us would’ve just preferred a little tact, I’m sure) she has generated a ton of viral traffic/buzz on the topic. The fact is, TV programming is trying to make content their viewers can relate to & thus the use of an overweight couple in a tacky sitcom. Americans worship the skinny, hate the fat and love to complain on the internet.

Kelly did what she set out to do with that piece: she made Marie Claire buzz-worthy, if only for the week. I don’t care if she was/is anorexic, was/is disgusted by fat people or anything else… she did her job right. Guaranteed the staff of Marie Claire is slapping her on the back and not with a warning about the content of her future posts.

Enersymendez

October 29, 2010 at 10:17 PM

Didn’t Marie Claire pride itself in airing a photo of a model in only thong looking “real”? What about featuring Crystal Renn as a healthy, “plus size” model? I guess their definition of beauty only equals anything below a size 8. The fact that the writer casually says she has friends she can call “plump” displays her complete lack of sensitivity. With friends like that who needs enemies?! This kind of article only ostracizes and bullies girls who are overweight, it by no means helps promote a healthier lifestyle. This is exactly how girls begin to feel trapped and develop eating disorders.

STEVEH6873

November 1, 2010 at 10:23 PM

you are what ya wanna be…like the sticker on my Harley Says……NO FAT CHICKS